The Sun and the Lion

After discussing the matter of requisitioning workers, the financial vizier spoke to Ibrahim greedily: "Your Majesty, I heard that there are many pagan temples in the Five Rivers area, and a lot of wealth is accumulated in them. I think I can extract them... "

"I know this matter better than you. I have decided to impose jizya tax on these temples because of the wealth of Indian pagans. You can specially allocate a group of tax collectors to supervise and manage these pagan temples." Seeing that the topic was suddenly changed. At this point, Ibrahim gave him direct instructions.

The Jiziya tax under the Safavids had changed from a poll tax on the Dhimmi to a property tax on the Dhimmi community and religious estates, from which Dhimmi who chose to serve the King of Kings through public and military positions were exempted. An obligation. At the same time, the scope of these "dhimmi" extended from Christians and Jews to almost all non-Muslims, which naturally included Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs in the Indus Valley.

"Yes, I promise to make all the dhimmi pay you what you deserve." The fiscal vizier, who was optimistic about this income, readily accepted this order.

The discussion then continued on other economic issues, including the introduction of standard weights and measures to newly conquered lands and the management of guilds and foreign merchants. The discussion was very brief as there were existing systems and laws to follow.

Ibrahim opened the draft and decided that the next topic would be public education.

The current finances are very abundant, but the establishment of compulsory education is neither necessary nor feasible for a feudal regime. However, the more qualified officials, priests and military officers the better for Ibrahim.

To this end, he plans to start from existing schools to increase quantity and ensure quality.

The so-called increase in quantity means expansion of enrollment. Ibrahim plans to inject funds into the central cities of each province to expand their facilities to accommodate more faculty and students, and increase student recruitment. At the same time, the palace will also provide subsidies for students with financial difficulties. .

As for ensuring quality, the relevant curriculum standards have been determined before. What Sadr has to do is to supervise to ensure that relevant standards can be implemented in various places and reduce the scrap rate of the ruling class reserve forces.

"I have one more thing I want to discuss with you. I have heard that pagan monarchs in Peach Blossom Stone will issue communiqués in the palace to let all officials understand the latest government affairs and military news." After speaking, Ibrahim will His eyes turned to the Chief Clerk who was taking notes on the side.

He elaborated on this impromptu idea. It happened that the printing plant had not yet reached its capacity limit. The regular publication of communiqués could provide officials with additional information channels in addition to the exchange of official documents. At the same time, the scope of circulation also expanded to schools and clergy.

After all, the information channels for students and civilians are very narrow. As for political news, it is better to have relatives who are officials in the family than not, and it is better to have a big official than a small one. It is best to let these reserve personnel prepare before being hired. Have some knowledge.

Priests have the task of conveying decrees to the community during Sunday services, which undoubtedly eases the difficulty of their work.

As for the content of the communiqué, it must be screened, and this work is the responsibility of the palace secretaries led by Kamran, allowing them to add new functions in addition to archiving and preservation, drafting and polishing official documents, recording and being responsible for the incoming and outgoing official documents.

The final agenda of the meeting is today's finale - military expansion.

"Our country now has such a fertile territory and huge wealth. There is no doubt that it will attract the jealousy and covetousness of the surrounding wolves and leopards. Wealthy businessmen and landowners still need guards to protect the safety of their property. The increasingly wealthy Iran needs to be able to match She needs to be escorted."

Ibrahim's high-sounding words were supported by everyone present, and he then launched his army expansion plan: "The Model Army and Ghulam played an important role in this battle and made great achievements. I plan to expand its scale."

At present, the two legions have only 25,000 rated troops. He plans to temporarily increase it to 40,000. At the same time, he will keep a large number of mules, horses and camels, which makes them more mobile than other non-cavalry units.

The "Friends of the Shah" Guards force expanded to ten regiments, with a total of 10,000 cavalry, and were stationed together with two infantry and artillery regiments at the camp of the King of Kings.

Looking east, he had previously recruited locals into the Safavid army when fighting in India. Gulbuddin and Mirwais were two suitable representatives.

The Afghans and Baloch people from the Hindu Kush Mountains and the Indus River Valley were organized into what was called the "Eastern Gurugram". The finance of Diwan limited the size of the two to ten regiments, and they did not have any heavy artillery. Only camels carrying breech-mounted swivel guns and large matchlock guns provided fire support.

Gulam of the East has two main responsibilities. First, he is responsible for suppressing the various tribes in Kabristan and ensuring that the leaders will not cause rebellion or even cut off the transportation from Kabul to Herat. Secondly, he was responsible for the defense of Punjab and the plundering of Hindustan.

When necessary, this Afghan regiment can also mobilize troops north to support defense in the river. Find the book garden www.zhaoshuyuan.com

Calculated in this way, the standing army that needs to be maintained by Diwan's finances has reached about 70,000 people - the Central Guards and the Standing Army, the Eastern Gulam and the Georgian Legion. Ibrahim also plans to strengthen local garrisons and add border fortress garrisons. If not for a sudden increase in income, such a rapidly rising expenditure will definitely overwhelm Safavid's finances.

If he is really desperate, Ibrahim can also organize an unprecedentedly large army by breaking bones, sucking marrow and scraping the ground like Nadir Shah did in later generations.

The army is only one leg of military expenditure, and the other leg is the navy. During the invasion of India, Ahsan once petitioned Ibrahim for increased funding: "I believe that what your Majesty wants to control is the oceans of the world. In order for Your Majesty to achieve the goal of dominating the oceans, the fleet needs more ships, artillery and sailors. I boldly request Your Majesty to allocate part of the spoils obtained from India to the Navy so that the new shipbuilding and troop recruitment plans can be smoothly implemented."

The wealthy King of Kings waved his hand - new warships were built; new fortresses were built; new sailors were recruited. The new shipyards and new port facilities in Bushehr Port and Basra were allowed to start construction. Not only were all the naval construction proposals submitted by Ahsan approved, Ibrahim also specially praised them and gave all naval officers additional bonuses. reward.

Jenny, the head of the Shah Port Military Shipyard, also took this opportunity to propose: "After being trained by past shipbuilding tasks, I think your craftsmen are already capable of building larger and more powerful warships. If you allow it, the shipyard will be ready at any time." We can start building giant ships.”

Ibrahim noted the temptation and planned to try it in the future.

The financial vizier estimated these new expenditures and finally reported to him: "Your Majesty, according to my calculations, the current finances of Diwan are capable of meeting the expenditures required by these new armies."